Beijing is one of the most cutting-edge cities in China, and the bar culture here is also particularly developed. In 1993, when many cities in China did not have so-called bars, bars were already blooming everywhere in Beijing.
Although I have lived in Beijing for several years, I am not a person who follows trends, or I am simply a very local person at heart. This is my first time stepping into a bar.
The dim lights, the ambiguous music, the men and women who couldn't see clearly, and the unique smell in the bar were all so strange to me that I even felt a little dizzy.
Standing at the door of the bar, I saw the man at a glance, and he saw me at a glance. He was holding a glass of red wine and making a toast to me.
The aura of those who practice Taoism is different from that of ordinary people. It is normal for us to be able to see each other at a glance.
Taking a deep breath, I walked towards that person. He was sitting in the corner very carefree. He pointed to the sofa next to me and said to me: "Sit down."
I sat down unceremoniously, not knowing what to say to him for a moment. Just as I was about to take out the cigarette, he handed me a cigar and a strange pair of scissors and said, "Would you like one?" Or do you want me to cut this cigar for you?"
I pushed his hand away, took out my cigarette, lit one, and said to him: "I haven't smoked before, so I'm probably not used to it, and I know how to cut this thing."
When I said this, I thought of my master, who liked to squat in the fields and hold a pipe of dry tobacco in his mouth... Maybe, I like that better too.
When I thought of this, a smile appeared on my face.
But I didn't expect that at this time, the man poured me another glass of red wine. The bright red wine hung on the crystal cup, which had a very unique beauty. Unfortunately, I was used to drinking hot wine with Master. I am used to the unique aroma of white wine. At most, I think this red wine is beautiful, but there is nothing I want to drink**.
"I keep this bottle of wine here. There is no such good product in this bar. The one from 1982, um... you want to try it?" At this point, he smiled again, as evil as ever, and said to me: "Is it possible? Do you also know about red wine? Do you want me to introduce you to which winery it is?"
I didn't touch the glass of wine, I just blew out the cigarette, and then said to him: "Sorry, I don't understand red wine either. But in my eyes, your cigar may not be as smooth as a Hongtashan for me to smoke. In my eyes, your red wine may not be as enjoyable as a glass of Daqu wine. If you invite me here today, if you just introduce some red wine and cigars, then I will leave."
After I finished speaking, I was really ready to leave, but the man stopped me and said, "Do you see the difference? The difference between future generations and future generations?"
What does this mean? I raised my eyebrows, but instead of leaving, I sat down again and waited quietly to hear what he had to say.
Seeing that I was not leaving, this man smiled proudly again and said, "My name is Xiao Chengqian. You see, I am also from the Chengzi generation. What a coincidence? What a coincidence, I am also from the Shanzimai generation."
My heart suddenly felt uneasy. Shanzimai has the same generation as me. Is there any connection between him and our family? But my face was very calm, and I asked him very calmly: "Then what?"
"Then? Haha... Then I also admit that Lao Li, your master, is a very capable person. Unfortunately, his descendants and I live a completely different life. Do you know what my life is like? ?You can almost call me a noble. I can wear the best clothes, eat the best food, drink the best wine, and have the most beautiful women. The important thing is that I don’t lack any resources for cultivation. But you What? What do you have? Life with your master is also stretched, right? And how long can I continue to practice with you? This is ruining the Taoism." Xiao Chengqian said to me with some excitement.
But I looked at him calmly, didn't say anything, and allowed him to continue talking.
"People who cultivate Taoism are different. What are Taoists after they have cultivated? They are gods! Aren't the predecessors of these gods and Buddhas all over the sky also cultivators? Therefore, cultivators are originally superior beings, nobles! What is our purpose? There is only one, that is metaphysical, and you will eventually become an immortal. The rest are not important, you know? None of them are important!" There was a trace of madness in Xiao Chengqian's eyes.
I asked: "Isn't it important? What means it includes is not important? The word 'I' is the most important."
He took a sip of red wine, held his cigar in his mouth with some pride, and looked at me: "As a disciple of that smelly and tough old Li, did you have a moment of enlightenment? Did you understand the way of 'I'? That's what I meant. The self and the will of the self are everything. There are three thousand avenues and countless small roads. The self is my way. No matter how the road is traveled, the end point is the same, which is the goal. Do I need to care about any means in the middle? Even the universe Isn’t it also an ‘I’, and its rules are the way of heaven, isn’t that what it is?”
I put out the cigarette, showed a smile, and then said: "Do you mean that if you become an immortal and a god, well, become the most powerful immortal god, or even reach the level of the universe, you will be the way of heaven. ?”
He narrowed his eyes and said, "You can understand it this way."
"You seem to want to convince me and accept your teaching." I said leaning against the back of the sofa.
"Persuading Lao Li is something that my master has always wanted to do. He failed to do it. I really want to convince his disciples. I just want to tell you that cultivators follow their own hearts and have no restraints. You Don't be so rotten, that's not Taoism, it's Confucianism. As long as you nod your head and you are willing, you can live a noble life, have the cultivation resources you want, and live with a pure heart." Xiao Chengqian's face Full of arrogance.
I suddenly laughed, then drank all the red wine on the table in one breath, then snatched his cigar, took two strong puffs, then put it back into his hand, and then said: "Red wine, I I drank it and smoked the cigar. I'm sorry, but I don't think there's anything to envy in such an aristocratic lifestyle. So what if you have all the cultivation resources in the world? What you achieve is nothing more than a rotten skin, or , what you think is metaphysical is like... Well, let's put it this way, is that the pile of flesh on your body flying up to the sky? Just as you foolishly think that the so-called true intention is to live arrogantly? "
Facing my words, the smile on Xiao Chengqian's face suddenly solidified. He showed that gloomy smile again, looked at me and said: "Chen Chengyi, right? You want to prove to me that you are just like Is your master so smelly and hard? Do you know why people in this world don't believe in gods? It's because they don't see it. In addition, the power belonging to gods is suppressed by other forces, just like science, but What is science? It is only equipped with the shoes of metaphysics. It is just an auxiliary tool! Only by proving the existence of gods without resorting to any means and pursuing the mysteries of metaphysics can it be a great achievement for mankind. Are means important? On the road, what Is it time to ban blood? You don’t want to be a stone blocking the road!"
"You have said that there are three thousand avenues and countless minor paths. What are you doing by denying science? What's the point of distinguishing between high and low? I really don't want to argue with you, because I don't know if you want to practice Taoism or have become a demon. . I just want to tell you simply that people in this world, including me, have not seen the so-called gods, but they are not able to see them yet. This is not a shameful thing that hinders the road, it is just a necessary grind. Practice. You must also remember that the most important thing about a person is never the body, but the soul, and the original heart. And the original heart, you, who are about to become a madman, will never understand. A child is not a fish, how can he know the joy of a fish? , I don’t understand your extremes, and you don’t have to understand my persistence. I can’t live your aristocratic life, and I can’t admit your methods. God or not, I won’t think too much about it. I only know that this As long as I continue on this path safely, I will eventually find the path I want."
After saying these words, I ignored Xiao Chengqian, stood up, and prepared to walk out of the bar.
But Xiao Chengqian shouted behind me: "Chen Chengyi, one day, you will be beaten to the ground by me and you will be told that you are wrong."
"That was just in your dream." I didn't look back. At that moment, I finally knew what kind of lunatic organization I was facing.